Bloomington—Providing a wide variety of experiences to enjoy

January 6, 2017

LOCATED ONE HOUR SOUTH OF INDIANAPOLIS

Bloomington is, quite literally, a “haven of blooms,” but it’s also a haven for the different, the dreamers and the devil-may-cares. In the middle of the Middle, sure, but a welcome departure from the ordinary, thanks to the idyllic landscapes, bohemian culture and offbeat accommodations.

TRIP ITINERARY

LIMESTONE LEGACY WORTH PRESERVING

Indiana limestone has shaped the nation, literally. From The Pentagon to the Biltmore Estate and the Met to Ellis Island, landmark buildings around the country come from Indiana limestone. Every June, Limestone Month honors this heritage with demonstrations from master carvers, sculpture and photography exhibits, tours of limestone homes and quarries, and more.

COMEDY IS KING IN BLOOMINGTON

In early June, the Limestone Comedy Festival attracts big crowds with national names (think Janeane Garofalo and SNL’s Michael Che). The three-day showcase takes place at four venues, including The Comedy Attic, which Amy Schumer deemed “one of the best 10 comedy clubs in America.”

ASIAN RESTAURANTS PACK A WORLD OF FLAVOR

There’s no shortage of Eastern cuisine in Bloomington. The town of just over 80,000 boasts an impressive 40+ Asian restaurants, and they offer a whole lot more than sesame chicken and fortune cookies (although Americanized dishes are readily available). From authentic Thai curry to traditional Tibetan dishes, B-Town’s slate of Asian restaurants provides a true cultural experience for your taste buds.

INDIANA’S LARGEST FARMER’S MARKET—A MUST-SEE

Every Saturday from April through November, 100+ local vendors gather at the Bloomington Community Farmer’s Market to sell items like microgreens, tamales, small-batch barbecue sauce, paleo foods, organic fruits and vegetables, maple candy and Italian pastries.

MAKE A NOSTALGIC NIGHT OF IT

The iconic 189-roomBiddle Hotel inside the Indiana Memorial Union, just steps from theSample Gates, provides an academic backdrop (and an in-house bowling alley, billiards room and theater), ideal for a game weekend or business retreat.